OREANDA-NEWS. October 5, 2012. The Russian and Tajikistani Presidents began bilateral talks in Dushanbe.

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PRESIDENT OF TAKIJISTAN EMOMALI RAHMON: Mr President, welcome to sunny Tajikistan. We have all been looking forward to your visit.

Russia is Tajikistan’s strategic partner and we are genuinely interested in continuing to develop our bilateral cooperation in all different areas. I hope that this interest is mutual.

Your visit coincides with the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries and offers us a good chance to discuss the current situation in all areas of our cooperation.

Once more, I wish you a sincere welcome to Tajikistan.

PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA VLADIMIR PUTIN: Thank you very much.

Mr President, this visit coincides not only with the signing of important bilateral agreements, but also with your birthday, and so, on my personal behalf and behalf of the entire Russian delegation and all Russians I congratulate you on this occasion.

I always knew you were a wise man. You invited us on your birthday, lured us here, knowing that on your birthday there’s certainly no way we can refuse anything, and so we are just going to have sign whatever you want us to. (Laughter).

But speaking seriously, our colleagues and experts at the government and ministry level in both countries have worked very hard and drawn up good and thorough agreements. I know there are still a few details to settle before we give the final approval, and we will without doubt settle these matters today.

Congratulations on your birthday! Thank you very much for the invitation.

EMOMALI RAHMON: Thank you!